Moses Betrayed I by Richard Minns, Bronze, 157cm high by 79cm wide by 63cm deep (base 64 x 54 cm), Body, Classical, Figurative, Male, Men, People, Religion
A figurative bronze sculpture of a man holding two slabs of stone with one above his head.
Moses Betrayed 1 sculpture is a deeply evocative and symbolic piece, capturing the moment of betrayal, disappointment, and struggle in Moses’ life.
In this significantly beautiful sculpture of Moses descending from Mount Sinai, holding the stone tablets after witnessing the Israelites worshiping the golden calf. His face shows anger, sorrow, and disbelief.
Artist’s Interpretation:
“My MOSES is the result of a labour of love. My father’s most prized possession was a statue of MOSES. My oldest son, Michael, also loves MOSES. On one occasion when Michael was visiting me in Israel, we stopped by a gallery in Jerusalem and Michael started to purchase a bronze sculpture of MOSES. I stopped him and told him that I would create a MOSES never before attempted, in memory of my father and as a gift for my son. Michael asked me when that would happen and I replied: “When I have the skill”. Four years later, I created MOSES BETRAYED.
“I must give you some background, which you already know, so I can properly convey my passion. My MOSES has spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mount Sinai. His people did not believe any man could survive this long on Mount Sinai, alone in the wilderness under the scorching sun without food or water, so they were sure that MOSES had perished. They lost their faith, which was largely based on their reliance on MOSES strength and indomitable will, which enabled him to deliver them from Egyptian slavery across the Red Sea to freedom. With their belief that MOSES had perished, they lost faith in MOSES and in G-d, reverted to their pagan ways, and started worshipping the golden calf idol.
“MOSES did survive and when he arrived, barefoot, with his clothes in shreds, half-starved, but exhilarated, with the two Commandment Tablets from G-d, he was horrified at the above sight. He was betrayed. G-d was betrayed. The once-coveted Tablets become burning red-hot coals in his hands. He can’t bear to hold them any longer. Tired, but overwhelmed with the shock of betrayal, my outraged MOSES is throwing the Commandment Tablets to the ground. His right arm has swung down. The tablet has left his outstretched hand, and I have tried to convey the impression that the tablet is in the air, falling. MOSES left arm is raised over his head preparing to hurl down the second tablet.
“Anatomically, my MOSES is old, very lean, starved, with ribs protruding, but still a very strong man with old but firm muscles and tendons attesting to his work as a shepherd. I have over-emphasised the veins on his arms and hands to combine strength and strain with pathos. I have tried to capture the mixture of sadness, shock, despair and rage in his weather-beaten face and eyes.”
MOSES face, eyes and hands dominated my dreams. I could think of little else until I completed the sculpture.”
Richard was born in Texas in 1929 and Died in Israel in 2022. He was born to an Irish father and Jewish mother. During his life he lived in USA, UK and Israel.
Before turning to sculpture relatively late in his life, Richard was a successful competitive bodybuilder, journalist and health spa entrepreneur. Richard trained in painting and sculpture at the Hampstead Academy in London, as well as the Avni Institute in Israel.
Moses Betrayed I by Richard Minns, is installed at The Sculpture Park, subsequently being admired by thousands of people in its full glory. What’s more if you wish to purchase the piece, The Sculpture Park team are able to arrange the full removal and installation
